I met a skunk today on the walking trail! We were exploring a new trail when suddenly - it must have been my sixth sense - my eyes were drawn to the long grasses growing on the edges of the groomed trail. A very large, slow moving Striped Skunk was sniffing its way toward us! That is all I would have needed. Luckily, I had caught sight of him before my dog had and we casually, and quickly, made our way back to the car and drove to an old haunt to finish our trek.
Even with the best intentions of preventing such an encounter, unexpected things can unfortunately happen - especially when you own a curious pooch - and your greatest fears may be realized:
You meet a skunk!
Do not panic. Just remember to be prepared and to know of a simple home remedy for that lovely aroma these creatures leave behind on our dogs and ourselves.
To recover, you will need the following:
Source: Flickr, Oakley Originals
- 1 skunked dog
- Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution (You may want to have two bottles of Hydrogen peroxide 10 Volume 450ml in the house as a topical antiseptic for minor wounds and skunk emergencies)
- Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Dishwashing Liquid (Any citric dishwashing will do.)
Other useful items:
- Rubber gloves & rubber boots
- Vinegar (White vinegar can be used if diluted with water, or Apple Cider Vinegar)
- Bio-degradable Plastic bags
- Paper towels
- Old Towels
- Toothpaste
- Sponges
- Dog Shampoo (an oatmeal and aloe shampoo would be good to soothe the skin and help the coat)
- Lavender, hops and herbs
The procedure
Step one – Preparation
First do not let the dog, or anyone who was sprayed, in the house or car, then mix the following concoction together:
1 litre Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution
50 ml (1/4 cup) sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
5 ml (1 tsp) dishwashing liquid
But wait! What about the tomato juice, you ask? The best thing to do with tomato juice when it comes to skunks, is to pour it in a glass, or even better, get some Canadian invented Clamato Juice and mix yourself a Bloody Caesar and take a swig. It may help in bracing yourself for the next step.
It is best to wear old clothes, rubber boots and especially rubber gloves so that you do not get the smell in your hands. If you should already have some from catching your dog, you can either put some toothpaste on your hands and rinse or wash them in the solution you just mixed together, then dry them with some Eco-friendly paper towels, roll up your sleeves and put on your gloves.
Ready? Now roll up your sleeves and get ready for the fun part!
The bath and beyond
Source: Flickr, Oakley Originals
After mixing up the ingredients as previously stated, pour the solution over your dog, often using sponges will help in the process, and massage well into the fur. Make sure none of bath water gets into your dog’s eyes or face as it is a very strong irritant. Gently wash the face by using a paper towel and soft strokes, ensuring to keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Also Hydrogen Peroxide should not be digested internally, so no drinking out of the tub! Leave the solution on the dog’s fur for about five minutes and then rinse well. Pour the water out and make a new solution and repeat the entire process.
Source: Flickr, Oakley Originals
Optional: Many people use vinegar for the first rinse, then clear water then do the second washing and repeat. If using white vinegar it is best to dilute it with water to minimize skin irritation. Apple cider vinegar is a good alternate solution as it has some medicinal properties and may help the fur.
If your dog was sprayed directly in the face, make a thorough inspection of the eyes, call your veterinarian if at all possible, and rinse her eyes with a natural saline eye drops or artificial tears. You may want to use some drops for yourself to ease the effect on your eyes from the strong vapours. The spray from the skunk is extremely irritating and can also cause some nausea.
Dry the dog off with some eco-friendly paper towels and old towels (it is best to not to use your best bath towels for this.) Dispose of any items which are unsalvageable in bio-degradable bags.
After you get the smell out, it is a good idea to use a natural shampoo, such as an oatmeal and aloe shampoo revitalize the skin and fur. Your dog’s fur may bleach from the solution and may shed more for about a month until it recovers, however, the wonderful aroma should be eliminated. Any lingering scent may come from the dog's face but it will dissipate. You can also add some Fish Oils in their diet to help the fur.
Lavender, Hops and Herbs
Now you are probably wondering where the lavender, hops and herbs come in? After such a wonderful ordeal, you will no doubt need to calm your nerves. Lavender oil is a great essential oil which calms the skin and nerves, for men, women and dogs. You can mix some up in water and spray it on the dog’s bed and on yourself. Or better yet, use it on the dog and take a bath in some nice Lavender Oil or Lavender Bath Milk and some baking soda to sooth the skin.
Afterwards, make a fine relaxing herbal tea or, if you feel you need something stronger, hops is also a great herb for relaxation. A nice bottle of beer from one of our local microbreweries may fair you well. A Boréale perhaps? The Quebec-owned microbrewery, Les Brasseurs du Nord, have six ale-type beers with a lot of character to help you chill. Or maybe a choice selection from la microbrasserie Unibroue, such as a Maudite or Fin du Monde, since no doubt you thought it was the end of the world until you were completely free of that smell!